Glossary

Glossary

Asthmagen - something which may cause asthma.

Biological agents - includes germs that cause disease (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that live inside their host); cell cultures (where the specific cells are hazardous); and other micro-organisms.

Carcinogen - may cause cancer.

Dermatitis - is a type of eczema. It is an inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to a substance.

LEV - local exhaust ventilation is local ventilation to the task or process rather then general room ventilation.

Hazard - something which may cause harm.

Mutagens - may cause inheritable genetic damage, including cancer.

Nanoparticles - are microscopically small and so not visible to the human eye.

Pathogen - any disease-producing agent, including a virus, bacterium, or other microorganism.

PPE - stands for Personal Protective Equipment. This is equipment used and usually worn by the user to protect against health or safety risks at work. It can include safety helmets, hard hats, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, and safety harnesses.

Reasonably practicable - refers to the requirement to prevent exposure under the risk assessment process. Exposure must be prevented unless the requirements to achieve this are grossly disproportionate to the benefits (and therefore not reasonably practicable). So the more hazardous the substance, the more that should be done to prevent exposure.

Risk assessment - is the process of identifying the hazards at work, estimating the chance (risk) that they may cause harm, identifying who may be harmed and how, and identifying ways to avoid or reduce the risk of harm.

RPE - stands for respiratory protective equipment. This is equipment such as face masks used to filter contaminants from the air being breathed in.

Sensitisers - can make you hypersensitive causing your body to overreact to a substance when exposed to it.

Workplace Exposure Limits – (WELs) cover a number of hazardous substances for which possible exposure by breathing them in must be below a specified limit